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REFERENCE

stay in one's lane

idiom
Meaning

To keep to one's own kind; to avoid intermixing or associating with other types of people.


Origin

disputed origin

Metaphoric, from the conventions for driving a motor vehicle.

Examples
SIMPLE

You should just stay in your lane and focus on your own work.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager told the marketing team to stay in their lane instead of trying to design the software themselves.

COMPLEX

While the political climate grew increasingly volatile, he chose to stay in his lane, preferring to avoid the messy conflicts that divided his colleagues.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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